Young artists’ Show and Sell

Creativity on display at Warren Elementary

January 10, 2014

Ceramic snails, charcoal lions and painted likenesses of famous politicians lined the walls with price tags at the first ever Art Show and Sell at Warren Elementary School on Thursday evening.

Excited young artists, ranging in grades from kindergarten to eighth grade, proudly displayed more than 2,000 pieces of all varieties of artwork that they completed during their fall art classes at Warren schools at an open house event from 4 to 8 p.m.

Not only were students given the opportunity to show off clay masks, self-portraits and Native American shields to family, friends and community, but several of the pieces were available for sale, with a portion of the proceeds going to a good cause.

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"This is the first year for it, and I'm just really excited," said art teacher Diane McDonald.

BrAva, a Marietta-based charitable organization that aims to fight childhood cancer and provide support for families with children battling the disease, will receive half of the proceeds of the Show and Sell.

"It's a big thing in our county," said PTA President Sarah Misel.

Misel said the money collected from sales from the art show will be added to previous fundraising done by Warren Elementary sixth graders. Last spring, about 50 students gathered toys, games and activities together into individual drawstring backpacks to hand out to children from the area going through chemotherapy treatment as well as families of victims of the Sandy Hook shootings.

"There were still funds left over that weren't totally spent, so taking half of this money and putting it with that, they'll be able to make another bunch of bags, and do the same thing again," Misel said.

McDonald, who headed the event, said she was impressed by the turnout and the enthusiasm the students showed.

"Because of our budget cuts they only have art half the year. So they don't make any more cuts, I want to keep it at the forefront so we don't lose any more art in the schools," McDonald said.

Art pieces sold for either $5, $10 or $15, and children and adults alike pulled their favorite pieces off the wall to purchase.

Cassie Cordy, 13, displayed an intricate charcoal lion drawing in the art show that won a first place ribbon from McDonald.

"It was my first charcoal drawing I've ever done," Cordy said. "I haven't always been into (art), but I've been getting into it."

Despite the buzz about how beautiful Cordy's lion piece was, the eighth grader noted that she just couldn't put that one up for sale.

Thomas Miller, a 12-year-old in sixth grade, painted a desert scene that featured water colors and the use of Sharpies to make the black silhouette of the desert.

"My two friends' (scenes), theirs fit together on either side of mine, so the land fits together on both sides," Miller said.

BrAva derived from Marietta resident Bridget Crock and Waterford resident Ava Nichols, two young girls diagnosed with cancer very early in life. Ava died in early 2012 and Bridget has recovered. Their families joined their names to form the organization, which holds charitable events throughout the year.